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Web Application that displays web data in Word?

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    Web Application that displays web data in Word?

    I am working on an application that we want to keep the "data" available for management review on the Web, but that we want the "users" keying in the proposal information to be able to use Word for Data Entry/update and printing the data.

    I have been trying to make that work, but don't understand how I will link the data to Word via a Web Application -

    I am familiar with Word Merge capability, I have used that with DBF's and Access databases for years but I can't figure out if this is even possible - after scouring the forum under WAS I still am unsure.

    Has anyone done this before?

    Any thoughts of how I would like a Web Application to a local copy of Word 2007?

    Thank you in advance for your thoughts on this subject!

    Julie

    #2
    Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

    I have been reviewing all of the forums and don't see anyone who has tried what I am looking for - so my next question is:

    Is there any way to copy a record that is selected, to a persons local desktop say a DBF so they can work with that record at least?

    Then assuming that can happen how would the data get ported back to the web interface?

    I have a client that really wants to use "Word" to edit fields in the Web Database

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

      I am working on an application that we want to keep the "data" available for management review on the Web, but that we want the "users" keying in the proposal information to be able to use Word for Data Entry/update and printing the data.
      Julie,

      I think the reason you have not gotten many repsonses is that this would be an atypical way to use Alpha. By that I mean, using Word to act as the data entry portal for your dbf files seems convoluted (to me at least). Perhaps we don't fully understand what you are trying to do but why not just use Alpha for that? Data entry in Alpha can easily be made to be very streamlined and easy for users(much more than Word could ever be) - plus in Alpha you can use field rules, error checking, etc.. You can also always have a "hybrid" application where the web side is used for review and display of data but a desktop application is used for all the data entry. I have 2 apps like that and they work GREAT!

      Using Word to edit the records in your database is just not using the right tool for the job in my opinion.

      Regards,

      Jeff

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

        Thanks for your reply Jeff - I appreciate your comment, and have ended up back in Alpha - because it just wouldn't give the right results.

        My problem is I have people that are VERY concerned about change as I know many of you have experienced. They know Word - so that is what they prefer things to be like.

        I agree, Alpha is a better tool.

        My personal hurdle is not knowing Alpha as well as I would like - What I am looking to accomplish is "mimick" multiple Word documents into one alpha application.

        I don't know how to keep the data for one record together from one page to the next.

        Since we want to have multiple "inclusions" and multiple "Exclusions" I think it may just be easier in Alpha.

        If you have time, would you mind taking a look at the attachments below that we are trying to convert over to Alpha?

        Thanks Jeff,

        Julie

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

          Hi Julie

          Alpha is the exact right tool to achieve what you are looking to do. It appears that you want to have a quotation system that lists both what is included in the bid and what is not included? Is that right?

          If so, Alpha can EASILY do this and better than you could ever hope for using Word. I would see your layout like this one parent table and 3 child tables. The parent table is the main quote type stuff of who is the customer, termns of the quote, delivery, etc. You would then have the 3 child tables which would be inclusions, exclusions, pricing. These child tables would all relate to the parent on either a non-meaningful unique ID number or the quote number.

          You could have all of this information available from one Alpha form - making it very easy for users to create the proposal. The beauty of Alpha is that you can create archived versions of the proposal if the customer changes their mind and wants you to make a change. For example, in of of my apps I have a quoting system that assigns a quote number (let's say 50000). If the user submits this to the customer and they want a change they press a button on the form and that original proposal is "archived" and a new duplicate of it is created but the new proposal number is 50000-1. By doing something like this you can track all of you proposals as they evolve. Also, you can easily pull up an old quote and revise it to make a new one. You inclusions and exclusions that are populated as line items would all come from lookups so the user would not have to type anything. You could also have some code that would "pre-populate" a list of say 15 items that are commonly on your exclusions page.

          If you stick with Alpha and work through the learning curve you will not be sorry. There are MANY efficiencies to be gained by using Alpha that you will never realize if you use Word for this application in my opinion.

          You have found the greatest resource of Alpha - this message board! Keep coming back and asking questions. Also, you have posted this question on the Application Server section which is for web stuff. It doesn't sound like this is a web app so if you have more questions in the future, try posting over in the desktop area......you might have better luck getting answers to your questions.

          BTW, have you taken a look at the Sample Alpha Sports App that comes with Alpha? There is an invoice sample in there that shows the one to many idea I mentioned above. Just think of it as a quote when you look at it instead of an invoice. It's all the same thinking.

          Hope that helps some.....regards.......


          Jeff

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

            Thanks Jeff, I was trying to do this in WAS - only because I dont really understand the Runtime licensing that I saw people up in arms about with this version 9 platinum.

            I am sure this is very do-able in the database only side - and am sure my previous programming in MS Access 2003 would carry over smoothly.

            I was just thinking that integrating this with another Web based DB would cause less confusion for the client. but I am open at this point to what is easiest.

            I will do whatever it takes to learn the best presentation for the client.

            Did you use the Database side to create your "archive" version and duplicate proposal for new revisions? I love this idea and wonder if you could show me how you programmed that?

            Thanks for your time Jeff, I appreciate the encouragement.

            Julie

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

              Hi Julie

              There really is no need to worry about the runtime licensing uproar that took place previously with V9. Alpha was very attentive and got everything squared away to a nice result in my opinion. The only thing you need to know really with the 2 "run" options is that the Run Engine supports the creating and use of "Active Link" tables to other data sources like SQL Server and the Runtime does not.

              I was just thinking that integrating this with another Web based DB would cause less confusion for the client.
              There certainly is some wisdom to making it easy for the client. :D

              but I am open at this point to what is easiest.
              The creation of a desktop app for this sort of thing will be significantly easier than trying to do it on the web side.

              Did you use the Database side to create your "archive" version and duplicate proposal for new revisions?
              Yep...I created the quote system I was referring to using the desktop side of Alpha.

              I love this idea and wonder if you could show me how you programmed that?
              I will pull together some screen shots for you of the quote portion of that application and post them here.

              Regards,

              Jeff

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

                Originally posted by jkletrovets View Post
                The only thing you need to know really with the 2 "run" options is that the Run Engine supports the creating and use of "Active Link" tables to other data sources like SQL Server and the Runtime does not.
                That is not entirely correct. If you purchase the Unlimited Runtime, it does everything the Run Engine does and more. Just evaluate the cost of it as compared to individual Run Engine licenses and you will see it doesn't take long to see how worthwhile it is.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Web Application that displays web data in Word?

                  Good point Doug.

                  Thanks,

                  Jeff

                  Comment

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